Progress of the measures

Implemented

THE STATE OF IMPLEMENTION OF THE MEASURE

Under the measure, new methods applicable to flowing bodies of water were developed to reduce the loading of suspended solids and nutrients, such as a biological purification method based on biochar. In addition, many fishways and streams have been restored and improved. The measure has been completed, but different types of actions to restore flowing bodies of water will continue through the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s NOUSU programme, for example. The programme focuses on enhancing the living conditions for migratory fish and restoring their natural reproduction in flowing bodies of water in Finland.

DESCRIPTION

The loading of nutrients and suspended solids causes eutrophication of the receiving marine environment. Furthermore, they disturb the reproduction of sensitive marine species (fish, mussels) in flowing bodies of water and streams before they flow into the sea. Various threatened species of fish with spawning season in fall reproduce either in the sea or flowing bodies of water, but they live the biggest part of their lives in the sea where they build an integral part of the population in the sea.

Measures which are currently available are not sufficient to reduce the loading of nutrients and suspended solids from the catchment areas and from point loads to flowing bodies of water and through them to the Baltic Sea. Therefore, it is reasonable to include the measure in the Programme of measures of the marine strategy, even though the direct targets of the measure consist of the catchment areas of the flowing bodies of water.

New methods to decrease the loading of nutrients and suspended solids are developed in the measure, and pilot projects are implemented on suitable areas of flowing bodies of water and their catching areas, especially in areas where there are significant populations of species that reproduce in streams but live mainly in the sea. The measure also studies the effects on nutrition loads and contents in the water bodies.

SCHEDULE

2016-2021

MAIN IMPLEMENTING PARTY

Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

Projects to be carried out under the measure

Towards clean waters with improved nutrient cycling in fields in the Uusimaa region (NewRaHa)

DESCRIPTION OF ACTION

The NewRaHa project produces information on the cultivation of catch crops. Catch crops can be used on farms in the Uusimaa region to increase plant cover in cultivated fields and thus to reduce nutrient loading from the fields on waters. A report has been published on the results (in Finnish): Känkänen, Hannu, Ketola, Jarmo & Valkama, Pasi. 2020. Uusia tuloksia kerääjäkasveista: UusiRaHa-hanke. Luonnonvara- ja biotalouden tutkimus 18/2020. Luonnonvarakeskus.

SCHEDULE

1/4/2016–31/12/2019

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT AND FUNDING

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)

EUR 500,000 (EAFRD: EUR 400,000)

MAIN IMPLEMENTING PARTY AND CONTACT

Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)

https://www.luke.fi/en/projektit/uusiraha/
Final report (in Finnish): http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-326-932-3

Improvement of urban waters – A joint project of the cities of Helsinki and Espoo to improve water quality in local waters (Baltic Sea Challenge)

DESCRIPTION OF ACTION

The project will test an innovative biological purification method based on biochar at pilot sites in Maunulanpuro, Helsinki and Otsolahti, Espoo. The method decreases the rate of flow and improves the quality of urban stormwaters by reducing the levels of nutrients, hazardous substances and fine material in stormwaters. The Haaganpuro brook and its branch the Maunulanpuro brook are important trout breeding grounds in Helsinki threatened by emissions from small industry and stormwaters from traffic areas. Otsolahti in Espoo is a shallow, almost closed inlet of the sea. The aim is to prevent it from becoming shallower and more eutrophic by reducing the stormwater load.

SCHEDULE

1/10/2017–30/6/2020

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT AND FUNDING

Funding from the programme to promote the recycling of nutrients (Raki), Ministry of the Environment

EUR 687,000 (Ministry of the Environment: EUR 412,000)

MAIN IMPLEMENTING PARTY AND CONTACT

Miitta Rantakari/City of Helsinki Environment Services

http://www.itamerihaaste.net/tyomme/hankkeemme/kaupunkivesistot_kuntoon

Patokato project

DESCRIPTION OF ACTION

The Patokato project sought to restore fish stocks and achieve good water status. The aim of the project launched in early 2017 was to increase awareness among operators involved in the management of fish waters of unnecessary obstacles to spawning that hamper the migration and natural life cycle of fish and to encourage work to remove any obstacles. The project cleared obstacles to spawning found in brooks, such as culverts under roads and bridges, on a pilot scale.

SCHEDULE

2017–2019

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT AND FUNDING

European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and ELY Centre for Southwest Finland

MAIN IMPLEMENTING PARTY AND CONTACT

WWF Finland

https://wwf.fi/alueet/virtavedet/patokato-hanke/

Freshabit LIFE IP Project

DESCRIPTION OF ACTION

The project implements fishways, seeks to revive freshwater pearl mussel populations and restores streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands and mires. This work will improve the state of inland waters and increase biodiversity dependent on them. In addition, new information and tools will be produced and information on the activities and the state of waters will be provided. The aim of the restoration activities is to improve the habitats of waterfowl, fish, the freshwater pearl mussel and other aquatic and wetland biota. The restoration activities can also be used to promote the recreational use of the areas and increase their appeal or value in terms of nature or landscape conservation, benefiting both people and the environment. As water bodies and catchment areas do not know any borders, the work will require the input of many actors. The project involves an exceptionally wide range of research institutes, government agencies, businesses, organisations and providers of funds.

SCHEDULE

2016–2022

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT AND FUNDING

LIFE +

MAIN IMPLEMENTING PARTY AND CONTACT

Metsähallitus, Parks & Wildlife Finland

https://www.metsa.fi/web/en/freshabit

Productisation of an easy-to-use nutrient recycling cube

DESCRIPTION OF ACTION

The project developed a simple filter constructed in a form of a cube that can be installed in ditches and that utilised shreds of used car tyres in biological filtration. The dam increased the capture of phosphorus all year round. In addition, the dam helped to convert ammonium nitrogen to nitrate. The nutrients captured were collected at the bottom of the filter and recovered as a sludge. The aim of the project was to finalise the filter, develop a nutrient recovery system and create a business concept and network.

SCHEDULE

1/9/2017–31/8/2019

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT AND FUNDING

Experimentation project on nutrient recycling, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)

EUR 40,000 (MAF: EUR 18,000)

MAIN IMPLEMENTING PARTY AND CONTACT

Apila Group Ltd

https://www.apilagroup.fi/en/

Farmer-oriented water protection measures in the Central Uusimaa region (VILKKU Plus)

DESCRIPTION OF ACTION

The VILKKU Plus project continues the VILKKU project (2016–2018) and focuses on reducing nutrient loading from agriculture by providing farmers with information on issues relating to the improvement of the yield potential of soil, the targeting of environmental measures and the benefits of crop rotation. The project covers the areas of Nurmijärvi, Tuusula and Mäntsälä.

SCHEDULE

1/5/2018–28/4/2020

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT AND FUNDING

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)

MAIN IMPLEMENTING PARTY AND CONTACT

Central Uusimaa Regional Environment Centre

https://www.vilkkuhanke.fi/
https://www.facebook.com/vilkkuhanke

K Fishpaths (K-Kalapolut)

DESCRIPTION OF ACTION

K Group (Kesko and K-stores) and the wildlife conservation organisation WWF cooperate to conserve threatened migratory fish populations. Volunteers are invited to cooperate in removing obstacles to fish migration and restoring habitats in watercourses across Finland.

SCHEDULE

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT AND FUNDING

K Group and WWF Finland

EUR 150,000 (Ministry of the Environment: EUR 105,000)

MAIN IMPLEMENTING PARTY AND CONTACT

K Group and WWF Finland

https://www.kesko.fi/kalapolut
https://www.kesko.fi/en/media/themes/fishpaths/

Reducing nutrient loading with concrete measures (Vesiensuojelu 4K)

DESCRIPTION OF ACTION

The aim of the project is to increase the water retention period in the target river (Inkoonjoki) catchment and to reduce erosion and the leaching of eutrophying nutrients and suspended solids into inland waters and further into the Baltic Sea. This will also enhance flood control and climate change adaptation and diversify habitats, which will improve the conditions for aquatic organisms.

SCHEDULE

2018–2020

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT AND FUNDING

Funding from the programme to promote the recycling of nutrients (Raki), Ministry of the Environment and WWF

EUR 400,000 (Ministry of the Environment: EUR 250,000)

MAIN IMPLEMENTING PARTY AND CONTACT

WWF

https://wwf.fi/alueet/suomi/virtavedet/kuormitus-kuriin/

The role of water resources management in crop production and water protection (VesiHave)

DESCRIPTION OF ACTION

The aim of the project is to improve the efficiency and control of field and main drainage systems (i.e. subsurface drainage and main drainage channels) in order to improve the productivity of cultivation as well as to reduce adverse environmental effects. In addition, the effects of other land improvement measures will be investigated.

SCHEDULE

2018–2020

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT AND FUNDING

Funding from the programme to promote the recycling of nutrients (Raki), Ministry of the Environment

EUR 487,400 (Ministry of the Environment: EUR 185,000)

MAIN IMPLEMENTING PARTY AND CONTACT

Helena Äijö/Field Drainage Research Association

https://www.salaojitustutkimus.fi/research/?lang=en